Important Authors: Somerset Maugham

This is the second instalment of our 2025 weekly segment, Important Authors, where we explore the lives and legacies of literary greats. Today, we turn to W. Somerset Maugham, a writer whose works resonate profoundly with readers, especially young men seeking stories that explore the artistic soul, the need for adventure, and the complexities of human emotions. Somerset Maugham is, perhaps, my favorite author of the 20th century. Although his literary journey began in the late 19th century, Maugham's ability to captivate audiences with his tales of cynicism, irony, and keen observation makes him a timeless figure in literature.

Early Life and Education

Born on January 25, 1874, in Paris, William Somerset Maugham's life began with privilege and tragedy. His father, an English lawyer associated with the British Embassy in France, ensured a cultured upbringing. However, by the time Maugham was 10, he was orphaned and sent to live with his emotionally distant uncle in Whitstable, Kent. This tumultuous start, coupled with the challenges of adapting to life in England, marked him with a stammer and an acerbic wit—traits that would later color his literary voice.

Maugham’s academic pursuits led him to King’s School, Canterbury, and the University of Heidelberg before settling on medicine at St. Thomas' Hospital in London. Although he qualified as a physician in 1897, it was the publication of his first novel, Liza of Lambeth, that shifted his trajectory. Inspired by his medical training in Lambeth’s slums, this vivid portrayal of working-class life marked the beginning of a prolific writing career.

The Rise to Literary Fame

From the outset, Maugham showed a knack for storytelling, one he modestly attributed to acute observation rather than imagination. This "knack" soon made him a sensation. By 1908, he had achieved a rare feat: four of his plays were running simultaneously in London's West End. His 1907 success with Lady Frederick ensured that financial struggles were a thing of the past.

However, it was his novels that solidified Maugham’s literary legacy. His 1915 masterpiece, Of Human Bondage, remains a landmark in 20th-century literature. This semi-autobiographical work explores themes of love, ambition, and human frailty. In it, Maugham’s detachment and irony—hallmarks of his style—are in full display. Later works, such as The Moon and Sixpence (1919), Cakes and Ale (1930), and The Razor’s Edge (1944), further showcased his ability to weave compelling tales rooted in observation.

Maugham’s contribution to short stories is equally significant. Collections like The Trembling of a Leaf (1921) and First Person Singular (1931) include works like “Rain,” which explore the unpredictability of human actions. His Complete Short Stories, published in 1951, solidified his reputation as one of the finest practitioners of the form.

A Life of Adventure and Complexity

Maugham’s life mirrored the themes of adventure and duality found in his stories. During World War I, he served as a Red Cross ambulance driver and later as an intelligence agent, experiences that enriched his fiction, particularly in Ashenden. After the war, he settled at the Villa Mauresque in Cap Ferrat, France, where his mornings were devoted to writing and his afternoons to entertaining a coterie of literary and artistic luminaries.

Maugham’s personal life, however, was fraught with complexity. He described himself as "three-quarters normal, one-quarter queer," though biographers suggest the reverse was true. His long-term relationships with men, including Gerald Haxton and later Alan Searle, coexisted uneasily with a troubled marriage to Syrie Wellcome, which ended in a bitter divorce. Despite his wealth and fame, Maugham’s personal relationships often mirrored the themes of emotional entanglement and disillusionment in his writing.

Impact on Hollywood and Legacy

Maugham’s influence extended beyond literature to the burgeoning world of Hollywood cinema. With over 98 adaptations of his works for film and television, Maugham became one of the most adapted writers in history. His novels Of Human Bondage and The Razor’s Edge, along with numerous short stories, found new audiences on the silver screen, proving his storytelling's universal appeal.

Yet, critical acclaim often eluded him during his lifetime. Writing in an era dominated by Modernism, Maugham’s straightforward style and focus on human nature were sometimes dismissed as lacking innovation. Nonetheless, his enduring popularity and the Garrick Club’s tribute on his 80th birthday—a rare honor—affirmed his place in literary history.

The Final Years

The serenity of old age was not Maugham’s fate. His later years were marked by feuds with his daughter and the manipulations of his partner, Alan Searle. Despite these challenges, his prolific output and the Somerset Maugham Award, established to support young British writers, ensure his legacy endures.

Why Maugham Matters

For readers today, particularly young men drawn to tales of the artistic soul and the need for adventure, Maugham’s works offer timeless insights. His characters grapple with ambition, love, and self-discovery, resonating across generations. Moreover, Maugham’s ability to craft stories that blend cynicism with compassion, detachment with emotional depth, makes him a writer worth revisiting.

Somerset Maugham may not have achieved universal critical acclaim, but his contribution to literature and cinema is undeniable. His life and works remind us that storytelling—at its best—is about capturing the essence of humanity, in all its complexities. In this, Maugham excelled, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate.